UN Warns Global , Wildlife Crime , Driving Global Extinctions.<br />'The Guardian' reports that over <br />4,000 species from around the world <br />are the targets of wildlife traffickers. .<br />According to a United Nations report, <br />this causes "untold harm upon nature.".<br />The report found that 40% of all <br />the animals targeted are on the red list <br />of threatened or nearly threatened species.<br />The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report <br />found that the trade, driven by demand for medicine, <br />pets and trophies, is active in over 80% of countries.<br />Despite gaps in knowledge <br />about the full extent of wildlife <br />trafficking and associated crime, <br />there is sufficient evidence to <br />conclude that this remains <br />a significant global problem <br />far from being resolved, UNODC report, via 'The Guardian'.<br />Despite gaps in knowledge <br />about the full extent of wildlife <br />trafficking and associated crime, <br />there is sufficient evidence to <br />conclude that this remains <br />a significant global problem <br />far from being resolved, UNODC report, via 'The Guardian'.<br />According to the report, the largest <br />number of individual seizures involved <br />corals, large reptiles and elephants.<br />According to the report, the largest <br />number of individual seizures involved <br />corals, large reptiles and elephants.<br />According to the report, the largest <br />number of individual seizures involved <br />corals, large reptiles and elephants.<br />Wildlife trade was found to be the driving <br />factor in both local and global extinctions, <br />including rare orchids, reptiles and fish.<br />Wildlife crime inflicts untold harm <br />upon nature, and it also jeopardizes <br />livelihoods, public health, good <br />governance and our planet’s <br />ability to fight climate change, Ghada Waly, Executive director of UNODC, via 'The Guardian'.<br />Researchers warn that wildlife crime is often <br />linked to organized crime, with corruption playing a critical role in impeding efforts to stop trafficking. .<br />'The Guardian' reports that this corruption can<br />take the form of bribes paid to inspectors and <br />government officials in exchange for fake permits.
